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Engines of Change: A History of the American Dream in Fifteen Cars
A narrative like no other: a cultural history that explores how cars have both propelled and reflected the American experience— from the Model T to the Prius. From the assembly lines of Henry Ford to the open roads of Route 66, from the lore of Jack Kerouac to the sex appeal of the Hot Rod, America’s history is a vehicular history—an idea brought brilliantly to life in thi...more
Hardcover, 416 pages
Published
May 1st 2012
by Simon & Schuster
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EofC is a really good look at the Detroit Big Three back when they really were the Big Three. Ingrassia covers fifteen of what he sees as the cars that changed America. Included are Mustang, Corvette, the Corvair. It was fun and interesting to read about the luck, the mistakes, the changes over 40 years and since that's the same 40 to 50 years I've been driving I remember a lot of what he talks about.
My favorite by far is the chapter on the Jeep which talks more about the changing tastes of Ame...more
My favorite by far is the chapter on the Jeep which talks more about the changing tastes of Ame...more
Jul 25, 2012
Acorn Public Library
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The Model T Ford, the Corvette, the 1959 Cadillac, the Volkswagen Beetle, the Chevrolet Corvair, The Ford Mustang, Pontaic GTO, Honda Accord, Chrysler minivans, BMW 3 Series, Jeep, the F-150, and the Toyota Prius are the models former Wall Street Journal reporter Paul Ingrassia covers in his book. He deemed the vehicles as significant for a variety of reasons, some technical, one legal (the Corvair), some reflecting the state of the industry (the Accords discussed in the book are those made in O...more
This book (like the title suggests) is the American dream in fifteen cars. Some of the facts about those cars, the history behind their existence, and the history they represent were very surprising. I didn't know that the Corvette almost wasn't made and the war of the great tail fins happened. Nor did I know the story behind the Prius and the Beetle. This book showed me what the American Dream is all about through the lens of a subject I love; cars. It changed my view of how we the people have...more
This book starts with the Model T (the car that put America on the road) and the cars that follow are each picked for some way they directed or reflected American society. Some of the cars are there for their positives the (VW bugs comeback after WWII) some for their negatives (the Corvair and it's contribution to the litigation society), and some for both (Lee Iacocca saving the iconic Jeep brand and Chrysler with it, but the Grand Cherokee then starting the SUV as daily driver culture). I foun...more
This is an excellent book. I completely enjoyed it. The author chose cars to tell the history of the last 100 years in America. His book, his perspective, the choices of cars and the story were fantastic. This is a great perspective for anybody who wants to review American culture over the last century.
Paul Ingrassia seemed to be worried that his choices would be argued and in conflict, but I can't think of automobiles that have more of an impact on American culture. more than this Paul delves...more
Paul Ingrassia seemed to be worried that his choices would be argued and in conflict, but I can't think of automobiles that have more of an impact on American culture. more than this Paul delves...more
I like cars, corporate histories, and sociology, so this book should have been a clear winner for me. It was okay. The best three chapters were: Model T, VW Bug, and the Chrysler Minivan. I recommend that you should skip through the book and read about the cars that are interesting to you.
Gripes: the book was well researched, but the author's occasionally glib tone was off-putting to me. And maybe it's because I'm from a very poor county in Tennessee, but I have no idea why the author believes...more
Gripes: the book was well researched, but the author's occasionally glib tone was off-putting to me. And maybe it's because I'm from a very poor county in Tennessee, but I have no idea why the author believes...more
Paul Ingrassia never disappoints. His theme is clear: a selection of automobiles, native and foreign-made, are symbolic of the eras of automobile evolution and the unique cultures that inspired and characterized their eras. His research is, as usual, impressive. His writing is clear and sparkling. (To a boy who knows that talking of horse power involves counting horses, even sparkling prose and a book in the line of studies such as those of Fredrick Lewis Allen (e.g., The Big Change) may seem aw...more
A look at fifteen cars and how they personified America's economic and cultural identity. Of course, the author considers the Ford Model T to be the most influential car of all time, it's the car that really set America on a course to be a car culture and gave the idea that cars can be for the masses, and not just the rich. What I thought really interesting is that the author considers the Chevy Corvair to be the second most interesting car, it was widely considered a failure, but it paved the w...more
Heard Paul talk about our Western Automotive Journalists (www.waj.org) group meeting recently and scored a free book, which I had asked him to sign. The presentation he gave and book have much the same cadence. It's stories and stories about cars, but stories about cars of significance. Significant cars not because of their technical prowess or popularity, necessarily, but because of what they meant and how they have impacted American culture. A fun, but important book, full of wonderful facts a...more
...good read over all...certainly for car-guys and gals but interesting in it's historical presentation and interpretations...the chapter on pick-up trucks was probably the most humourous and the Prius the most educational...didn't know much about the genesis of the alternate fuel auto...and, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche also showed up there...turns out he too had one on the drawing board and even made it into producing a one-off model...man before his time...again...the writer has some chops (won a Pu...more
This was my Mother's day present from my family, and I read it the last two weeks that school was in session.
I loved it. The cars he chose, the reasons he chose those cars, the photographs in the books, and the way Ingrassia writes are all reasons to read this fantastic book. Ingrassia includes the social and political changes, the characters behind the cars, some of the technological changes that brought about the vehicle...it's all fascinating and very readable.
I highly recommend this book for...more
I loved it. The cars he chose, the reasons he chose those cars, the photographs in the books, and the way Ingrassia writes are all reasons to read this fantastic book. Ingrassia includes the social and political changes, the characters behind the cars, some of the technological changes that brought about the vehicle...it's all fascinating and very readable.
I highly recommend this book for...more
Steinbeck, in Cannery Row, said that there should be a definitive history of the American car, for it has become a definitive part of the American landscape as food, independence, and sex.
Ingrassia identifies two major trends in American cars - the austerity, practicality, and efficiency which started with the Model T, and the flair and ostentation which started with LaSalle cars in the 1920s and continued through fins in the 1950s, muscle cars, and beyond. Power, allure, and prestige. Many cars...more
Ingrassia identifies two major trends in American cars - the austerity, practicality, and efficiency which started with the Model T, and the flair and ostentation which started with LaSalle cars in the 1920s and continued through fins in the 1950s, muscle cars, and beyond. Power, allure, and prestige. Many cars...more
Overall this was very good book. It tells the story of fifteen cars and the impact they had on American life. Some of the choices were no-brainers such as the Mustang or the Volkswagen Beetle. Both cars are included and the stories, though fairly well known, are detailed and presented in an enjoyable manner.
What I really enjoyed were the not-so-obvious choices. My favorite among these stories were the tales of the Honda Accord and the Chrysler Minivan. I like the subject of cars and frequently r...more
What I really enjoyed were the not-so-obvious choices. My favorite among these stories were the tales of the Honda Accord and the Chrysler Minivan. I like the subject of cars and frequently r...more
Ingrassia does for cars what Halberstam did for the Fifties. Well maybe not quite that good, but really a great book that explains the effects of the various cars on the American way of life.
One thing to note about the book, it is not predominately about the car itself. It is more of a look at the history, the people, and the trends that created the car and how the spirit of the car affected American society. So gear heads beware, you are not going to get a chart that shows you the engine displ...more
One thing to note about the book, it is not predominately about the car itself. It is more of a look at the history, the people, and the trends that created the car and how the spirit of the car affected American society. So gear heads beware, you are not going to get a chart that shows you the engine displ...more
History of the 20th Century US through cars, an interesting premise and an entertaining book. The book really has some interesting insights into how American thinking on cars has changed and has been influenced by car designers and companies. For example Lee Iaccoca's influence on the baby boomers: as teenagers he gave them the Mustang, as thirty somethings he gave them the mini-van, and as empty nesters he sold them Grand Cherokees.
Paul Ingrassia's use of the development of the automobile as a metaphor for American cultural development makes Engines of Change an easy and interesting read. Even if you're not a car lover -- is there an equivalent term for "foodie" for cars? -- Ingrassia's trip down memory lane for baby boomers and their cars is accessible and fun. Highly recommended.
Here's a fun book for car lovers and for folks who study American culture. Ingrassia selects 15 cars that reflect the sometimes changing and sometimes constant cultural tension in America. From the Model T to the GTO to the Prius, each car represents some aspect of our culture - small is beautiful, the need for speed, corporate greed, environmental concerns. Some interesting pictures and commentary round out a decent book.
I simply found this look at automotive history fascinating. I'm not sure the author doesn't make some leaps of judgement in places as he attempts to link a certain car with the social times surrounding it, but the details of the histories of the vehicles and their development are very interesting.
You can tell the author loves his subject matter even if some of his joking around is totally inappropriate at times (kind of like talking to a car guy in real life). An easy and enjoyable read and as someone who is not a car person I found the discriptions of engines and car parts easy to follow. Although I'm not sure his thesis at the beginning - about wanting to trace the evolving American dream by the cars we are driving - holds throughout the book it is still really interesting reading abou...more
I gave this book 5 stars because I fully enjoyed reading about the historical, political and cultural background of the cars the author chose to showcase. I found myself googling a lot the various names and models to better help me visualize what he's writing about.
Extremely well written and read. You do not need to be a gear head to enjoy this book. It deals with the historical/economic forces leading to development of these specific vehicles, and the impact they have had on our culture.
My description makes it sound dry, but it is a fascinating and entertaining read (listen).
My description makes it sound dry, but it is a fascinating and entertaining read (listen).
From the Model T to the Prius, we are what we drive.
For the complete list of 2013 Notable Books winners please go to the RUSA Awards page.
For the complete list of 2013 Notable Books winners please go to the RUSA Awards page.
Great read on classic cars from the Model T to the Prius. It focuses on cars which made a fundamental change in history and the key players in their development.
Easily the best book I have ever read about cars. Paul Ingrassia with his background covering the the Detroit beat for the Wall Street Journal really understands "Car Guys"
I give it 5 stars for anyone who is a history buff and or enjoys cars. He does an amazing job of connecting the 15 automobiles to their place in history. Cool book.
The fundamental framework of the book distinguishes cars, drivers, and readers as pretentious or practical. I am so fond of both styles that I continue to read.
Some of this book is very interesting. Some is too focused on insider politics in the various auto companies. I enjoyed the chapter on the VW most so far. I'm glad he included a few photos both of people and of the cars.
Ingrassia believes certain cars represent a conflict in American culture between the practical and the decadent. The research and writing are first-rate.
Really interesting, and the history aspect was really fascinating. I could have skipped the pickup truck chapter, because it was STUPID, superfluous, and unnecessary. That chapter read like an 8th grade essay that got BSed the night before the due date.
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